Last Updated on May 28, 2018 by CCAR Staff
A collision in Rancho Cucamonga involving a California Highway Patrol vehicle in pursuit of a motorcyclist was under investigation Monday.
On Sunday afternoon, several motorcyclists were on their way from City of Industry to a memorial ride in Rancho Cucamonga.
When the bikers reached Mountain Avenue on the Foothill Freeway (210), authorities say one of the motorcyclists on a blue 2016 Yamaha R6 used the right shoulder to try to pass a vehicle entering the freeway.
A CHP officer in a patrol car turned on his emergency lights and tried to pull over the biker. Authorities say the motorcyclist began to yield to the right shoulder but then sped off eastbound on the 210.
Friends of the motorcyclist told KCBS-2 that the rider was trying to avoid what they called the officer’s aggressive driving.
The chase continued on to side streets in Rancho Cucamonga, where the motorcycle had exited at Archibald Avenue. A video on Facebook shows a collision between the patrol car and the motorcycle near the intersection of 19th Street and Carnelian Street.
The motorcyclist was knocked down. A CHP news release on Monday identified the motorcyclist as Raul E. Garcia Martinez, 26, of Los Angeles.
“For unknown reasons, the left side of the Yamaha made contact with the right side of the patrol vehicle on 19th Street west of Carnelian Street. The impact caused the rider to be ejected to the ground,” the news release said.
The CHP release said that as the officer, who was not named, was placing handcuffs on the rider “a group of motorcycle riders began to swarm the patrol vehicle. Officers from several law enforcement agencies arrived on scene to assist.”
According to the collision report, the motorcyclist received bruises on his left leg, shoulder and lower back.
The California Highway Patrol says that the cause of the crash is under investigation.
The driver was arrested on suspicion of a felony count of evading a peace officer. He was taken to the hospital and was booked into the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga.
KCBS-2 reports that the family intends to sue. KABC-7 reports the motorcyclist will be in court Wednesday.
